Postdoc on terrestrial carbon cycle under global change

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet (SLU); Uppsala kommun; On-site; SEK 420,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

A 2-year postdoc position is available in the Soil and Environmental Physics group at the Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), in Uppsala.

We are seeking a researcher fascinated by the interactions of ecological, biogeochemical, and physical processes that shape the responses of the carbon cycle to global change and the implementation of these interactions into soil and ecosystem models.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree completed; junior researcher within three years post-PhD.
• Experience with data collection from literature and databases.
• Proficiency in statistical data analyses.
• Experience publishing in English in high-ranked journals.

Responsibilities

• Perform independent research including data collection, analyses, and modelling.
• Develop and use process-based models of carbon cycle in soils and ecosystems.
• Write scientific papers and present results at seminars and conferences.
• Collaborate with project group and external partners.

Skills

Formulating research questions

Statistical data analysis

Process-based modelling

Literature data collection

Education

Doctoral degree

Job description

Postdoc on terrestrial carbon cycle under global change

A 2-year postdoc position is available in the Soil and Environmental Physics group at the Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), in Uppsala.

We are looking for a researcher fascinated by the interactions of ecological, biogeochemical, and physical processes that shape the responses of the carbon cycle to global change and the implementation of these interactions into soil and ecosystem models. Depending on the selected candidate, the research project can focus on statistical analysis of literature data, process-based modelling, or a combination of the two.

We offer a stimulating research environment with opportunities to collaborate with soil scientists and ecologists, within SLU, in Sweden and internationally.

About the position

As a postdoc in the project, you will be expected to perform independent research, including data collection from literature sources and online databases, statistical data analyses, development and use of process-based mathematical models, writing scientific papers in collaboration with the project group and external collaborators, and presenting research results at seminars and conferences.

Your profile

Hold a doctoral degree; applicant should be a junior researcher who completed their doctoral degree no more than three years ago.

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher with excellent skills and experience in:

• Formulating novel research questions and hypotheses on processes controlling carbon fluxes and storages in soils, vegetation, and ecosystems
• Collection, harmonization, and statistical analysis of data on soil, vegetation or ecosystem carbon fluxes and storages from literature sources and databases
• Development and use of process-based mathematical models of carbon cycle in soils and ecosystems

We are particularly interested in candidates able to conceptualize and statistically or mathematically link processes occurring at different spatial or temporal scales, or across levels of ecological organization (e.g., upscaling of microbial processes to ecosystem level; use of plant traits to understand ecosystem carbon budgets).

Experience in publishing in highly ranked scientific journals in English is also important.

About us

The Department of Soil and Environment is a leading soil research institution, both nationally and internationally. Our research focuses on fundamental soil properties and processes, as well as how soil functions are affected by changes in environmental conditions, including climate change.

Through research, environmental analysis and education, we contribute knowledge about future sustainable land use and develop new solutions as a basis for decision-making in agriculture, forestry and the urban environment.

The working environment at the department is international and we have around 100 employees.

Our research is carried out in seven subject groups and we are responsible for important research infrastructure in the form of soil chemistry and soil physics laboratories, an X-ray scanner, long-term field experiments, a lysimeter facility, and the field research stations at Lanna and Lövsta.

We are part of the Soil, Water and Environment Center at SLU (MVM-center), which provides links to research on water systems, recycling and bioenergy. Our work is aligned to national environmental and climate goals as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Location

Uppsala

Form of employment

Temporary employment, 24 months, with the possibility of extension.

Scope

100%

Start date

As agreed.

Application

Please include the following documents:

• Cover letter (max 1 page)
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Contact information for 2-3 references
• Research proposal describing:
  • State of the art on the project topic described in the advertisement (max half page)
  • Knowledge gaps that need to be addressed (max half page)
  • Proposed approach to fill the identified gaps and how it is related to the applicant’s knowledge/expertise and previous experiences (max one page)

Please submit your application before deadline 10 September 2026.